A vehicle component such as an axle spindle or suspension beam (3) is connected to a tubular vehicle axle (1) by fitting a connector sleeve (2) onto the axle and subjecting the assembly to a crimping operation in which plural depressions (206,2018) are formed by indentation in the connector sleeve and the axle wall at the connection region (11,12) to fix the connector sleeve on the tubular axle. In the described proposals a solid lubricant (4) such as molybdenum disulphide is applied at the connection region between the connector sleeve (2) and axle (1), before crimping. The further vehicle component (3) is then connected to the connector sleeve (2) by welding.

A vehicle stabilization system including a frame; a wheel; a control arm connected to the frame and the wheel; a fluid spring connected to the frame and the control arm; a stabilizer connected to the frame and operable between a retracted and extended position; a reservoir; and a fluid manifold connected to the fluid spring and the chamber, fluidly coupling the spring interior and stabilizer chamber to the reservoir interior. A vehicle stabilization method including maintaining an orientation of the vehicle frame, coupling the frame to a support surface using a stabilizer by introducing a fluid to a chamber of the stabilizer, and retracting a wheel by reducing a quantity of fluid within a fluid spring coupling the wheel to the frame.

A shock absorber includes: a first passage through which a working fluid flows from a chamber inside a cylinder; a second passage which communicates with the chamber; a damping force generation mechanism which is provided in the first passage, a communication hole which is provided with at least a part of a passage of the second passage and is formed in a piston rod communicating with at least the chamber; a housing which has a passage of least a part of the second passage; a free piston which is movably provided inside the housing and defines the second passage into an upstream side and a downstream side of a flow of the working fluid when the piston moves in one direction, and an elastic body which is provided between the free piston and the housing. The free piston is formed of a resin material.

A method for assembling an agricultural vehicle including the initial step of providing the agricultural vehicle including a frame, a hydraulic manifold, and a cab suspension system. The cab suspension system includes an anti-roll bar, a pair of support brackets configured for securing the anti-roll bar to the frame, and a pair of intermediary placement brackets configured for temporarily supporting the anti-roll bar in a final assembly position. The method includes the further steps of attaching the intermediary placement brackets onto the frame, positioning the anti-roll bar on the intermediary placement brackets to position the anti-roll bar in the final assembly position, assembling the hydraulic manifold onto the frame, and connecting the support brackets to the frame and the anti-roll bar.

The present disclosure provides a transverse link for a wheel suspension of a vehicle that includes at least one wheel-side attachment structure and at least one structure-side attachment structure. The wheel-side and structure-side structures are connected to each other by a connection structure which extends therebetween. The connection structure and/or at least one of the attachment structures is/are produced by a generative production method. At least one of the attachment structures is constructed as a generatively produced bushing which has an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve. The sleeves are connected to each other by a fold-like structure. The present disclosure further provides a method for producing such a transverse link.

A stabilizer includes a stabilizer main body, and eyes formed on both ends of the stabilizer main body. Through-holes are formed in fastening surfaces of the eyes, respectively. The stabilizer main body is covered with a main body coating film. The eye is covered with an eye coating film whose thickness is less than a thickness of the main body coating film. An inner surface of the through-hole is covered with an inner surface coating film. An incomplete coating portion is formed at a part of the inner surface of the through-hole in a circumferential direction. The incomplete coating portion is located on an extension of a straight line connecting a center of the through-hole and the center of gravity of the stabilizer main body in a side view of the stabilizer main body.

The ball socket assembly includes a housing with at least one open end and with an inner surface that surrounds an inner bore which extends along a central axis. The ball socket assembly also includes a ball stud that has a ball portion and a shank portion. The ball portion is disposed in the inner bore of the housing and has an outer diameter which is in a spherical fit relationship with the inner surface of the housing. The shank portion of the ball stud extends out of the inner bore through the at least one open end of the housing. The ball portion is out of contact with any bearings on opposite axial sides of the ball portion such that the ball stud is able to move along the central axis relative to the housing.

A top mount assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure may comprise: an insulator comprising an elastic body and disposed between a vehicle body and a strut; and a strut bearing comprising an upper housing comprising at least one hole through which a portion of the elastic body passes, a lower housing, and a bearing disposed between the upper housing and the lower housing. The elastic body may comprise an elastic protrusion protruding downwards from the hole. The lower housing may comprise a groove which extends along the circumferential direction such that the elastic protrusion is inserted into the groove and is positioned at the radial inner side of the bearing. The elastic protrusion is inserted into the groove to seal between the upper housing and the lower housing at the radial inner side of the bearing.

A vehicle stabilization system including a frame; a wheel; a control arm connected to the frame and the wheel; a fluid spring connected to the frame and the control arm; a stabilizer connected to the frame and operable between a retracted and extended position; a reservoir; and a fluid manifold connected to the fluid spring and the chamber, fluidly coupling the spring interior and stabilizer chamber to the reservoir interior. A vehicle stabilization method including maintaining an orientation of the vehicle frame, coupling the frame to a support surface using a stabilizer by introducing a fluid to a chamber of the stabilizer, and retracting a wheel by reducing a quantity of fluid within a fluid spring coupling the wheel to the frame.

A shock absorber is provided that includes a shock body and a shaft assembly. The shock body has an inner chamber. The inner chamber is defined by a cylindrical interior surface. At least one groove is formed in the interior surface within at least one select length of the shock body. A piston of the shaft assembly is received within the inner chamber of the shock body. The piston includes valving to allow dampening matter that is received within the inner chamber to pass through the piston to allow the piston to move within the inner chamber. The at least one groove that is formed within the interior surface is configured to allow at least some of the dampening matter to bypass the valving of the piston to allow the piston to move through the at least one select length with less resistance.